BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – More than 200 police personnel will secure devotees coming for the Jaro district fiesta tomorrow.
The feast of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria, the patroness of Jaro, is one of the biggest in the country.
Police Captain Eduardo Siacon, chief of the Jaro police station, told Panay News security will be tight particularly at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral.
“Since bag-o lang liwat balik sa normal, naga-expect kita nga thousands of devotees ang posible nga magtambong sa Jaro fiesta. Tungod sini kinanglan naton presensya sang kapulisan,” said Siacon.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) will be sending over 200 personnel to augment the Jaro police and force multipliers, including barangay officials.
The city’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and other law enforcement agencies will also be on standby.
“Security preparations naton all set na. Naka-request na kita additional PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel from ICPO (Iloilo City Police Office) headquarters nga ma-augment diri sa aton. All in all ready na ang Jaro police station,” Siacon added.
The police chief said the public should expect stricter security measures especially in the entrance and exit areas of the cathedral.
“Yearly enclosed gid na da ang atubang sang cathedral. Mabutang kita dira sang screening area. Wala kita gabawal sang backpack pero check gid naton thoroughly. Ginabawal man naton ang mga deadly weapons,” said Siacon./PN